Day: May 27, 2024

Chief of Bagmati Province, Yadav Chandra Sharma, released the Bagmati Province Government's policies and programmes for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 in the first meeting of the Bagmati Province Assembly on Monday. The Bagmati Province Government in its policies and programmes has set a target of technology-friendly security check-posts giving continuity to the installation of advanced security equipment at different places including sensitive areas in the province. Similarly, Bagmati Province Police would be set up after concluding police adjustment with the coordination of the federal government as well as province investigation bureau would be established. There is a plan of forwarding river, corridor construction and upgradation tasks within the Kathmandu Valley with coordination of the bodies of the federal government as well as a policy has been adopted to construct 120-meter long suspension bridges by the province government and short suspension bridges with the technical support of the province government by local government, reads the policies and programmes. The Bagmati Province Government has a policy of coordinating with the federal government to make legal arrangements for liquor production from fruits, crops and herbs produced in Bagmati province as well as formulating laws to protect and promote tangible and intangible cultural heritages within the province. There is a target of completing drinking and irrigation projects keeping the 'one house, one water tap' programme at top priority to provide each citizen of province drinking water facilities as well as electricity facility at rural and remote settlements through the solar, mini-grid, or other use of alternative energy, reads the policies and programmes. According to the Province Chief, under construction Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium would be completed with the co-financing of the Bagmati Province Government. Similarly, high priority has been given to the 'One Secondary School, One Nurse' programme at every secondary sc hool in 13 districts of the province, he added. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, has pledged to work to reduce loss of life and physical property from the disasters as envisioned by the Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan. Home Minister Lamichhane said that policy and logistic preparations will be made to meet the citizens' expectations in the time of disasters. During a meeting with the officials on disaster preparedness at Singhadurbar on Monday, Lamichhane stated that a task force will be formed for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the disaster-hit people. On the occasion, Minister Lamichhane instructed the officials, security bodies and stakeholders to work on disaster preparedness. Stakeholders, chiefs of security bodies, experts and representatives of different organizations were present in the interaction programme on the Action Plan prepared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Source: National News Agency RSS

RAJSHAHI, The proactive and sensible role of both the print and electronic media has become crucial to ensure the legitimate rights of the third gender people as they are the integral parts of the society. Ensuring the rights of health, education, social and legal rights of the transgender people is very important for improving their living and livelihood conditions. Some media personalities and transgender leaders came up with the observation while addressing a sensitization meeting with press and media people here today. On behalf of its 'Strengthening Capacity of Gender Diverse Community to Protect Their Rights (SCG)' project, Diner Alo Hijra Sangha (DAHS), a non-government development organization working for the welfare of the socially excluded people, organized the meeting at Chef Garden restaurant in Rajshahi city. With DAHS President Mohona in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by its General Secretary and Ward Councilor of Rajshahi City Corporation Sultana Ahmed Sagorika and Jou rnalists Dr Aynal Haque and Sharif Suman. SCG Project Coordinator Abu Sayeed gave a salient feature of the project along with its aims, objectives and implementation strategy during his concept paper presentation in the meeting. He said the project is being implemented for improving the living and livelihood conditions of 1,000 transgender people. The society, as a whole and the journalists in particular, should come forward with a positive attitude toward the extremely socially excluded people for their coexistence in society. DAHS has been implementing the three-year programme in Rajshahi city and nine upazilas of the district since December, 2022 last. Mohona also highlighted the activities of the organizations for elevating the living and livelihood condition of transgender people in the city. She pointed out that the members of the community are always subjected to negligence and repression in every sphere of life including family and society. The Hijra community is deprived of several rights, she added. She also said the present government, particularly Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is very much positive towards solving the existing problems of the Hijra community. The public in general have a very narrow mindset regarding genderless people and they should change their mentality. Being rejected by families, many grew up hating their bodies, and fall victim to depression, drug addiction, violence and suicide, he added. Around 2.5 percent people of the total population were genderless, she said, adding that time has come to ensure their basic rights. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A writ petition against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, has been registered at the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday. Lawyer Anupam Bhattarai filed the writ petition at the SC, demanding to remove Lamichhane from the post stating that the DPM was involved in cooperative fund embezzlement. A bench of Justice Tek Prasad Dhungana ordered to register the writ petition scrapping the order of rejecting to register the writ petition against the Home Minister on May 22. The hearing for the petition has been determined for May 29. The writ petition has also demanded to suspend Home Minster Lamichhane from the post and scrap the letter of Office of the Attorney General. The letter mentioned that there is no case against Lamichhane. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) predicted light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at most places over Khulna, Barisal, Dhaka, Chattogram Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions under the peripherals of the cyclonic storm 'Remal'. "The Severe Cyclonic Storm "Remal" over Northwest Bay and adjoining area moved northwards, completed crossing the coast and now lies over Jashore and adjoining area into a land deep Depression. It is likely to move north-eastwards further and weaken into a land depression by giving precipitation gradually" it added. Earlier around 1pm, the met office released a warning post where the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Payra and Mongla were advised to lower danger signal number 10, but instead hoist local cautionary signal number three. Day and night temperature may fall by 2-5 degrees Celsius over the country. Country's maximum temperature on Sunday was recorded 37.5 degrees Celsius jointly at Netrokona and Sylhet and the minimum temperature today was 24.5 degrees Celsius jointly at Rangamati and Gopalganj. Rainfall for the last 24 hours till 6am today was recorded 125mm at Kutubdia. The sun sets at 6:40 pm today and rises at 5:12 am tomorrow in the capital. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: More than one and a half decades have already passed since the establishment of the republic by abolishing the 247-year-old monarchy from the country. Promulgation of the new constitution through the Constituent Assembly (CA) and the establishment of the republican system were great achievements for Nepal as they were the long-awaited political slogans in the country. However, political stability has not been maintained in the country yet. In the understanding of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) parliamentary party chief whip Santosh Pariyar, political stability is not concerned with picking an individual as the prime minister for a full five-year term but with stability in policy, principle and political ideology. "Stability should be in policy, philosophy, political ideology and understanding. A person remaining in the post of Prime Minister for five years does not mean stability. Knowledge as per our system and capacity for the implementation is also necessary for the stability," Pariyar underli ned. Pariyar described the ongoing parliament disruption as the friction between the new and old political forces after the latter refused to provide space to the new forces. According to Pariyar, political transformation will not be sustainable and institutionalized until it ensures positive changes in the lives of the general public. After the establishment of the republic, we have come to a comparatively better status and this should be made further broad, he added. "We have achieved many things in quantity after the republic system but we are yet to ensure quality. It takes time to ensure delivery. Conceptually, we have made a significant change. Reaching a common citizen to the post of country's executive head, constitutional boy's chief and head of the state is not a minor achievement. We have failed to meet people's expectations and the political parties should take responsibility for this condition but much has been done on education, health care, housing and other sectors," Pariyar observed. The RSP Chief Whip admitted that we lack the knowledge to transfer our society and also we have limited capacity for practical implementation of our indigenous knowledge. "Mainly, I see a lack of seriousness on the part of political parties and their leaders. We failed to break the deep-rooted societal dogmas. We waged immense revolutions but they too kneeled before societal dogmas," Pariyar shared hinting at patriarchy, caste-based discrimination and some religious ill-practices. During his interview with the RSS, Pariyar also expressed his doubts concerning the political parties' trust towards the present constitution. Pariyar said, "Political parties are not taking ownership of this constitution. Some interest groups are taking advantage of it," He also stressed that implementation of the constitution is the first priority but it could be amended to ensure a more progressive path after the implementation. Responding to a query about people's expectations towards the RSP, Pariyar said the RSP could not carry out activities to address the people's expectations in a short period and argued that new political forces should prevail for this. "The RSP can bring about changes in the country as per the people's expectations if it leads the single-party government after the elections of 2084. The number of lawmakers in the parliament also matters a lot", he mentioned. Stating that naturally old parties would be replaced by new ones, the RSP Chief Whip explained that the RSP could be made a better party by strengthening its organisaton, bringing clarity to ideas and continuously developing the party more ideologically. "We look the same as other parties in the parliament. But we are different if we are analyzed deeply," he claimed, explaining that political stability would be established in the country if there is devotion and belief towards the political system, understanding of the society and priority of activities to be implemented. He stressed that there is harmony among the major and old parties on the issue of making government and sharing power, but they lack harmony in providing justice and working in favour of the people. "Many of our practices have become outdated. They should be redefined. People should remain safe along with getting an opportunity to live a comfortable and convenient life. The government should guarantee justice and social and economic security," added RSP leader Pariyar. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The government has been able to reach broadband internet service to the centres of all local levels across the country. Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun shared this information while presenting the economic survey, 2080/81 in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Sunday. The centres of 5,951 wards of the local levels had access to broadband internet. Similarly, 4,272 health centres, and 5,341 community secondary schools got this facility. With this expansion, it has helped in ensuring uniformity in website format of all local levels. A total of 63 bodies associated with 263 local levels made the website live. A total of 838 virtual machines were in operation for the use of IT system in 340 government agencies having cloud service. Till the end of Falgun 2080BS, registration of daily paper stood at 765, while biweekly 39, and weekly 298. So far, total 7,997 newspapers were registered and among them, Nepali language newspaper dominate the media landscape with 5,376, while Rai language newspaper are only two. Moreover, the numbers of FM and Television on a regular operation are 720 and 107 respectively, the Minister Pun shared. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Three journalists including correspondent of Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) CB Adhikari have been honoured with the National Service Award on the occasion of 17th Republic Day. Chandralok Foundation honoured RSS correspondent Adhikari, Vice-President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Bala Adhikari, and Chairperson of Working Journalist Association, Janma Dev Jaisi, for their active role in people's service through journalism. Amidst a programme organised by the Foundation here on Monday, former Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Khil Raj Regmi, presented the award. Adhikari, active in journalism for around two decades, has been working at RSS for 14 years. Source: National News Agency RSS

RAJSHAHI, A daylong Innovation Showcasing' was held for the first time at Rajshahi University (RU) aimed at building Smart Bangladesh envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar and Pro-VC Prof Humayun Kabir inaugurated the innovation fair at the conference hall of the Department of Geography and Environmental Science as the chief and the special guests respectively with Pro-VC and President of the innovation committee Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam in the chair. A total of 22 teams consisting of different departments, hall and offices showcased their innovations related to their respective service deliveries and allied activities through electronic and digital devices. Among the participating teams, Syed Amir Ali Hall has clinched the championship for its Isabel smart catering. In his remarks, Prof Golam Sabbir said the present government under the dynamic and farsighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly for simplifying all the s ervice delivery activities for welfare of the public in general. He said the government is now setting up 28 IT parks in the country including one in Rajshahi which will create jobs for three lakh youths in phases. Prof Golam Sabbir said digitization is progressing encouragingly to achieve the esteemed successes of building a digital Bangladesh where people are getting all public services easily at their doorsteps. He urged the RU's service providers to work with innovative ideas to build a developed country by 2041. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, today made a surprise visit to the Udhyog Parisar (Industrial Complex) in Tripureshwor. Accompanied by Ministry Secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, the Minister visited the Department of Industry, Office of the Company Registrar, Special Economic Zone Authority and Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology Department among others. During the inspection, he met with chiefs of respective offices, employees, and service seekers and interacted with them on related matters. Service seekers appraised the Minister about challenges they face in accessing the services, while also acknowledging positive initiatives taken by the offices. The Minister asked Director General of the Department of Industry, Yagya Koirala; Company Registrar Deepak Pahadi, Authority's Chief Tulsiram Marasini and Bureau Chief Rakesh Kumar Jha to ensure smooth services for citizens. On the occasion, the Minister expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions of infra structure in the area, urging for prompt action to mend those repairable structures. Source: National News Agency RSS

BENAPOLE, Three people were killed and five others injured in separate road accidents in front of Jhumjhumpur BGB office under Sadar upazila of the district today. The deceased were identified as Hashem Ali, 40, son of Asan Ali, resident of Nilakantapur village of Kaliganj upazila of Satkhira district, bus supervisor Toufiqur Rahman,24, son of Naseeruddin, resident of Jurain Shyampur area of Dhaka, and Prafulla Kumar Saha,60, son of Santosh Kumar Saha, resident of Nilganj Tatipara area of Jashore district town. The accident occurred when a Satkhira-bound passenger bus of Saint Martin Transport from Chattogram, on the way its driver lost control and overturned and fell on the side of the road in Taraganj area under Sadar upazila around 8am this morning, leaving two people dead on the spot and five others passengers of the bus were injured, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jashore Kotwali Police Station Abdur Razzak said. The injured were taken to Jashore General Hospital, he said. Fire service personnel recovere d the bodies from the spot and sent to Jashore General Hospital for post-mortem. Besides, an unidentified elderly pedestrian was killed hit by a covered van in front of Jhumjhumpur BGB office under Sadar upazila of the district this morning. Legal action will be taken in this connection, the OC added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A meeting of the council of ministers under the Bagamati province government today endorsed the government's policies and programs for an upcoming fiscal year. The full meeting of the council of ministers agreed to pass the policies and programmes with the decision to present them in the Province Assembly meeting. According to government spokesperson and minister for international affairs and law, Ganga Narayan Shrestha, the policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS ( 2024-25) were endorsed by the meeting. The fresh policies and programmes of the province government accord priority to the promotion of agriculture, tourism, education, and employment sectors. Source: National News Agency RSS